More than 2.5 million American kids have a parent in jail or prison—that’s about 1 in every 28 kids. It’s a tough situation for any family, and especially so for the kids. This book looks at the past and present of incarceration in the United States, while offering encouragement and advice for kids who are eagerly waiting for their parents’ release. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The set explores the different types of family structures that have become increasingly common in the 21st century. The books provide not only objective demographic information but also friendly, accessible advice for kids with "nontraditional” families. Each title in this series contains an introduction, color photos throughout, and back matter including: Helpline contact information, an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.
